A lawn sign on Clinton River Road near Schoenherr Road promotes the Sterling Heights Parks and Recreation proposal.
RAY SKOWRONEK

A tax increase in Sterling Heights for $45 million in parks and recreation updates held on for an approval, while a public safety proposal in Fraser quickly found itself on a losing path in Tuesday’s election.

Elsewhere, in local races, a new mayor was elected in Utica, while former state Rep. Dan Acciavatti became the new Chesterfield Township supervisor, and controversial Macomb Township Trustee Dino Bucci, who was accused of extortion by a taxpayer in a lawsuit, hung onto his board seat.

In Sterling Heights, a charter amendment to the city charter to authorize a 0.97-mill property tax increase for parks and millage held on from a 57 percent to 43 percent lead late Tuesday to a 50.7 percent-to-49.3 percent approval. The measure won by less than 1,000 votes, with 26,400 yes votes to 25,662 no votes.

The plan calls for a new community center splash pad, ice rink and skate park. It also involves an interlocal agreement with Warren to use the city pool and fitness center. Warren would pay $100,000 a year to Sterling Heights so Warren residents would have access to some of Sterling Heights’ parks and recreation programs, such as the nature center.

The millage, which would cost the average taxpayer about $63 a year, would run from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2037.

A plan in Fraser to create a Department of Public Safety Protection Special Assessment District lost by a margin of 4,003 no votes to 2,644 yes votes, or a 60.2-to-39.8 percent margin.

Under the plan, a 5-mill levy for public safety, including equipment purchases, would generate $1.9 million in the first year. The City Council would reduce the general operating millage for city services by 3 mills, for a net increase of 2 mills. That would cost homeowners between $100 and $150 a year.

The citywide district for police and fire services was part of a strategic plan endorsed by the Council this past summer. Earlier this year, city auditors reported revenues would not keep pace with operating expenses, and a new revenue source was needed to avoid large budget cuts.

Other local races included:

Eastpointe

• Residents approved a five-year renewal of a 1=-mill levy to provide money for operations and maintenance of the city’s public library by a 63.7-percent to 36.3-percent margin

In Chesterfield Township:

Incumbent Republican Clerk Cindy Berry expanded a solid lead over her Democratic challenger Michele Ficht to win with 57.7 percent.

In the treasurer’s race, Republican challenger Paul Lafata upset incumbent Linda Hartman, a Democrat, with 55.7 percent of the vote, taking the race with a 11,069-to-8,791 margin.

In the race for four trustee seats, Republican challenger Kathy Vosburg — the former Macomb County Board of Commissioners chairwoman — led the four winners with 11,467 votes, while incumbents Hank Anderson (10,503 votes), Brian Scott DeMuynck (10,518) and David Joseph (11,135) followed, making it a sweep of the four seats by Republicans.

Utica

• A recount is likely as a new mayor was elected by 5 votes. Thom Dionne, a public safety officer, tallied 44.8 percent of votes, just ahead of Frank Czapski’s 44.5 percent. The victory was with 900 votes over 895, and the third candidate, Edward Wykes, received 10.7 percent — or 214 votes — as the three sought to succeed longtime Mayor Jackie Noonan.

“Door to door campaigning made the difference. It’s been a lifelong dream to serve the city where I live,” Dionne said. “I’m very grateful and appreciative of those who came out to support us.” Clinton Township

• Incumbent Republican Supervisor Robert Cannon, who was squaring off against Democratic Trustee Dean Reynolds for the township’s top elected position, held onto his seat with a 26,311-to-18,939 margin, or 58.1 percent of the vote to 41.9. Reynolds was indicted by a federal grand jury on eight felony counts, including bribery, for his alleged role in steering a waste hauling contract to the township.

Macomb Township

• In the trustee’s race, Nancy Nevers emerged late as the top vote-getter with 24,386 votes, followed by fellow Republicans Timothy F. Bussineau at 24,340 votes, Roger Krzeminski at 23,897, and Dino Bucci at 20,228 votes. The four Republicans won seats, while Democrat Michael O’Lear finished in last place and did not earn a seat.